IP: IANA Press Release 6/25/98

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

News Release


Contact:        
Maggie Thill, BSMG Worldwide


IANA ENDORSES NEW INTERNET MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 
FROM U.S. GOVERNMENT


New Organization to Represent Commercial 
and International Interests, Encourage Competition




Marina del Rey, Calif. (June 24, 1998) - The Internet Assigned Numbers
Authority (IANA) announced its support today for the "Management of
Internet Names and Addresses" recommendations from the U.S. Department
of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA).  In a June 5 white paper, the NTIA recommended creation of a
new, international non-profit to replace the role the U.S. government
and IANA have played to date in the development of the Internet.


The new organization will privatize the domain name system (DNS) and
reach agreement among international interests in order to encourage
competition and global participation.  IANA is striving toward the
consensus envisioned by the NTIA paper by working with representatives
from a wide array of organizations.


"IANA welcomes input from the many expected meetings, discussion groups,
electronic mailing lists, informal conversations and other forms of
communications.  It is important for all stakeholders in the current
international and commercial Internet to work together toward effective
self-governance," said Dr. Jon Postel, head of IANA since its formation
in the early days of the Internet.


Dr. Postel said that he is delighted with the NTIA recommendation that
responsibility for the domain, address, and protocol assignment service
- which have been provided for many years by IANA - transfer to a new
not-for-profit organization with broad representation.


"The Internet was developed by a small group of university-based
individuals who have dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy to
create a robust system that remains stable while allowing tremendous
growth," said Postel.  "In the last few years, we have seen dramatic
change fueled by international participation and commercial interests.
Clearly, all those interests must now be fully represented to take the
Internet to the next stage."


Under Dr. Postel, IANA will offer the historical and technical expertise
to maintain the stability of the global Internet during the transition.
He said he is committed to participating in the new not-for-profit
organization and to working with its chief executive officer, who will
be chosen by the new board.  Dr. Postel is not a candidate for that
position.


A discussion framework and additional information are available on the
IANA web site at www.iana.org.  Public comments may be sent via email to
comments () iana org.  The white paper can be found on the NTIA web site at
www.ntia.doc.gov.


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The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority is dedicated to preserving the
central coordinating functions of the global Internet for the public
good.